By applying high-density electric current pulses (ECP) on the Cu–Zn alloy, the high-temperature precipitated phase is explored and the related mechanical properties are investigated. Results show that the nucleation rate of the high-temperature β precipitation can be greatly accelerated due to the ECP treatment. Especially, an obvious orientation relationship can be detected between the matrix α phase and the product β precipitation by increasing the electric current density. In addition, for the samples with a dense distribution of refined β precipitation, a slight decrease in the tensile strength and a great increase in the elongation-to-failure can be observed.
This paper is part of a themed issue on Materials in External Fields.
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